Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free tax help for the needy

The Loyola University New Orleans College of Law is again offering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program this year to provide free tax preparation assistance for people with low to moderate incomes.

The sessions, designed by the Internal Revenue Service, begin Monday, Jan. 24, and continue through Thursday, April 14. Hours for the tax preparation sessions are Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Mondays and Thursdays from 5 – 7 p.m. The VITA office is located at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Broadway Activities Center, 501 Pine St., Room 202. No sessions will be held on Saturday, March 5 or Monday, March 7 due to the Mardi Gras holiday.

VITA will also offer tax preparation again this year at the Community Center of St. Bernard Parish, located at 1111 LeBeau St., Arabi, La. 70032. Sessions take place 10 a.m. – 2p.m. on the following Saturdays: Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb 26, March 12, March 26, April 2 and April 9. For more information on sessions in Arabi, call (504) 281-2512.

Those attending tax preparation sessions should bring identification, Social Security cards for each member of their household, tax returns and all other tax documents, including W-2 forms, 1099 forms and Social Security statements.

Loyola’s VITA Program is affiliated with the Asset Building Coalition of Southeast Louisiana and the American Bar Association.